Air-craft.



Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

' 6 SHEETSSHEET l.

G. SPILKA.

AIR CRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED 1 212.17. 1911.

G. SPILKA.

AIR CRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED 71113111911.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wit 14% G. SPILKA.

AIR CRAFT.

APPLIOATIOR FILED FEBJT, 1911.

1,045,337, Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

'llllbllllllrmlllrlll a a IIIIIVIIIIIIIIIIII\IIJ qwizbmeoow C. SPILKA.

AIR CRAFT,

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1'7. 1911.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

G. SPILKA.

AIR GRAPT.

APPLICATION FILED T15R17, 1911.

1,@5,38'?1 Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

6 SHEETSSHBBT 5.

3. l/vvlmaoow G. SPlLKA.

AIR CRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED 113.17. 1911.

Patented NOV. 26, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6 awoa m-toz vd 0 I &/L W L Momma fl zi 5 UNITED STATES PATENT orrion.

CHARLES, SPILKA, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

Tr. all whom iii may concern: 7 1

Be it known that I, CHARL S SPILKA, a citizen of the United States, residing at New .York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in A1r-Crafts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a..full,'

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in air crafts of the lighter than air type, and

' among the objects in'view is the disposition With these and other detail objects in 25- view .as will in part be hereinafter stated and .in part become apparent, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangementsof parts as here in specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 I is a perspective viewof an air craft embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view 1n side elevation of the gas 'bags a'nd ajportion of the framing. Fig. 3

is'a plan vi w thereof. Fig. 4 is a central sect-ion the'r'ethrough on an enlarged scale.

' Fig. 5 is a detail view of one end of some of the gasbags, parts being seen in section.

Fig. 6 is fragmentary, longitudinal sec- "tion'through thev mast. Fig. 7 is a detail,

' cross-section of the mast. Fig. 8 is a detail section of the controlling valve. Fig. 9 is v, an enlarged, fragmentary, detail section through one of the connectionsbetween the bagbands'and the-framing. F 1g. 10 1s a fragmentary plan of-a portion of an embodiment illustrating the preferred arrange ment of propellers. Fig. ll'i's a longitudinal I sectionth'rough a fragment f'of a portion, of

Fig. 12 is a plan-view thereof. Fig. 13 is afragment'ary cross [section therethrough. -"Fig. 14 is an inverted*plan v1ew of the" car howing amodifiedf adaptationof' the guldj the opposite end tofthat'seen in Fig? 10.

AIR-CRAFT.

' Specification of ietters Patent. Patented NOV. 26,1912. Application filed February 17, 1911. Serial No. .609,275.- I

bags. Fig. 16 is a detail view of one'ofthe clamping bands detached.

In the present art diflicult-y has been experienced in securing the requisite displacement by bag structures or other gas containers without at thesame time rendering the structure objectionable by reason of an excessive area of exposure to lateral wind pressure. I propose to overcome this difiiculty by constructing the gas containers in the form of clusters of bags, the bags in each cluster being so spaced as to allow the free passage therebetween of lateral wind currents for reducing the amount of lateral pressure on the bags, and one cluster of bags being disposed laterally relative to the other and in substantially the same horizontal.-

planes for multiplying the displacement without increasing the lateral area exposure.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates clusters of bags each made up preferably of four bagsQ, 2, and 2', 9/, the bags 2 being superposed above the bags 2 and spaced therefrom" for affording an intervening air space, and one cluster 1 being disposed laterally with "respect to and in the same horizontal planes with the other. Obviously, as many bags may be provided in a cluster as desired, but preferably suchanumber of bags is employed in each instance as will produce a cluster having appropriately symmetrical form.

Lying centrally with respect to all of the bags of each cluster 1 and extending throughout the length of the bags and beyond the ends thereof is a shaft 3 carrying at each end a tension wheel or spider 4, each spider 4: having a sleeve 5 surrounding and sliding upon the respective shaft-r3 forg u'iding the spider in movements longitudinal with respect to the shaft and gas "bags.

Each end of each shaft- 3 is threaded, and a nut 6 is threaded on the shaft into engagement with the-respective spider .4 for forcing the same longitudinallyoutwardly for tensioning purposes as hereinafter specified.

A suitable follower or look nut- 7 may also-be threadedon shaft 3 at the inside of each nut 6 andin position for engaging the same for fprev enting accidental loosening 'thereor.

Each of the bags 2 and2 haseach of its ends contracted or drawn together about an end piece 8 having an outstanding eye 9, the respective end of, the bag being secured by multiple wraps of cord or other attaching means about the contracted end of the bag and about the shank of the end piece 8. A cable 10 engages the eye 9 of eaclnend piece 8 and extends outwardly therefrom to and is connected with an arm of the respective spider 4 for being tensioned thereby. For

' strengthening purposes, and to relieve wind threaded longitudinally of the nipple 13 for tensioning the cable 14. Each bag 2', 2, and 2, 2', 1S surrounded at various points intermediate its ends by metallic bands 16, 16,

each provided with eyes 17, 17, corresponding in form and number to the eyes 12, and each cable 14 extends from the respective eye 12 at one end of a particular bag throughout the length ofthe bag and to a corresponding eye 12 at the other end of the bag, the

cable 14 at intermediate points engaging which may bands.

and being fixed to the eyes 17 of bands 16. It thus becomes apparent that by threading the nuts 6 outwardly on each shaft-'3, cables 10 at the opposite ends of the bag will be drawn taut, pulling the ends of the bags snugly into the caps 9 and tending to tension the cables 14, the said cables 14 serving to prevent longitudinal separation or independent movement of the caps in opposite outward directions, whereby each bag is insured against longitudinal distention, and each bag is also maintained against excessive circumferential distention by the bands 16. r v

Disposed vertically between. the bags 2, 2, and 2, 2,. of each cluster are the vertical posts or. shafts 18, 18, each post being disposed immediately opposite a band 16 of each bag, and all of the adjacent bands 16 being connected to the respective post 18 by relatively short horizontal cross bars 19, 19, be formed integral with the The shafts 18 of one. cluster are connected-directly tothe shafts 18 of the'other cluster by horizontal bars or shafts 20 which rigidly connect the parts, and forpurposes of trussing the'structure a piano Wire or other cable 21 is preferably connected at its ends to the end shafts 18 of each cluster and is passed about the intermediate shaft 1.8 of the other cluster, so that wires or cables 21 cross between the end shafts 18 of the two clusters andthe intermediate shafts 18 thereof, thereby materially stiffening the structural connection between the clusters without adding greatly to the weight of the structure. Each wire 21 preferably is provided at. each end with suitable tensioning means, not illustrated, but which may be the same as the nipples 13 and cooperating parts for tensioning cables 14..

Each shaft 3 may consist simply of a tubular member, but is preferably stiffened and strengthened by trussing cables 23, 23, fixed at their ends to the respective tubular member of shaft 3 adjacent the respective ends thereof, and the cables extending intermediate their ends, either upwardly or downwardly as the case may be, through or in -engagement with shafts 18 which serve as struts for the truss cables. vAny suitable tensioning device, such asillustrated at 25,

may be provided for each cable 23 for main taining the same taut, and thus materially strengthening the shaft 3 against central bending moment. 7

'Each shaft 18 is formed with a pendent extension 18' extending below the respective cluster, and formed at its lower end with an eve 18 to which cables 26 are attached,

and all of the cables 26 extend downwardly to and engage and support the car 27 which may be of any preferred type. The car 27 sustains the enginery for driving the propeller 28 which serves as the main source of driving power. A vertically disposed plane 29 is mounted to swing pivotally transversely of the longitudinal axis of the car in horizontal planes for guiding the air craft as to direction, while the plane 30 is pivoted horizontally to swing through vertical planes for controlling the elevation of the air craft. By providing a plane 30- of sufficient area the necessity for discharging gas for allowing the craft to descend is obviated, and the craft may readily be forced downwardly by the proper disposition of the plane. Eachofthe planes 29 and 30 is suitably fixed through their framing to their respective pivotally mounted shafts, and are engaged by actuating cables 31 and 32, respectively, which extend to points within the car 27 for being manipulated by the operator.

As afurther means of stfengthening and rendering more rigid the framework of the craft, a hollow mast or upstandingshaft .33

is fixed at its lower end to the floor of the car 27, and extends upwardly substantially centrally of the framework and centrally, fore andaft, between the clusters of gas bags, the upper end of the shaft 33. being fixed to the intermediate cross bar 20. Nested within the hollow mast or shaft 33 is a longitudinally movable mast S4, to the upper end of which is connected a block 35.

' wardly longitudinally I engagesfblock 35 and is suitably connected to ear-27, where the ends of he clamped or'otherwise retained'in a given; pos1t1on.- "'Tl'l mast 34 extends normally to above this "iouterfefid 1a saili 39whi'ch may be of a"-po-intjus t below the horizontal plane .of the uppermost points of each of the clusters pf bags,' and the mast 34 may be projected plane by pulling down uponthe portions of cables 36, the mast being sustained at any desired chocking of the cables 36; .--Suitable tackle 38 the legpmu'tton 'type .andprovided'with a boom atits lower .;edge, or any other sail may be provided acv the craft is being driven with" the wind, the

. speedwill be cording to'the' rigging preferred. When greatly accelerated by the run'- ning up of the mast 34 and exposing the sail 39. When running otherwise thah with the wind, it wilhcof course, be preferable to allow. the mast 34 to remain nested in the shaft as and leave thesail furled.

" 111 the navigation of air crafts, it has been foilnd. that'some difiiculty is experienced in the controlling of the displacement of the gas container by reason of differential temper- ;cold;, the gas Wlll be contracted very mateuallvwhereas as the sun uses and dries ofi atures, as for instance, in the early morning the gas .bagis' laden with dew and the. dew and raises the temperature of the gas amaterial expansion thereof occurs with he-resultant liability of over-taxing the capac'ity of; the bag. To obviate this danger,

-- safety valve structure 2" is.di ideaeeaa n I provide each bag or container with a 40. Each bag 9. and V by an interposed cylinder 4O P- ha-ving terminal annular flanges I 54( over lwhichthe respective portions of the 245. 1 i f banc'ls 40 surroundi l z gtjf are pass ed clamped by clamping ngthe cylinder 40 and the firespe'ctive lappingend portionspf the Aha-g. IA bolt rma-4,0 for 2 tion. V

f yided'lw'ith a diaphragm 40 ..:i-'espctive a compartments for ,of l the ch arge of g" obvious tha r gaih plug 40 .engages theends of each drawing the ends toward each thus effecting the clamping ac- ,Each cylinder 40 is preferably profor dividing the gas bag into two independent preventing aicomplete loss other and e: non-ipunctu-r' I alf l 16." 'flhe seat 41 valve'4 2 bcifig he l the"-'seat" l 3yi$ sp 43. A valve casing44 surrounds the valve and valve seat. and above the same is formed elevation by the Sure being through surrounded "or the "respective "clusters"; of bagsfiarid with a threaded aperture into is threaded a tension screw 45, thelower end-of which engages and retains in positionthe upperend of the spring 43,. the screw 45 be-' ing adapted to be threaded longitudinally in or out of the casing 44forincreas1ng or decreasing the tensionof the springeg, and

thus varying-the requisite pressure ofgas capable of automatic operation g-of "the valve 42.

It is obvlous fromthe disclosure inFig, 8 that when the gas pressure becomes suflicient within any particular-bag, the presexerted directly on the valve 42 through the portin theqvalve seat, it zwill lift the valve 42 offo-f'its seat against-kt e pressure of spring 43',-andwill escapeinto the valve casing,

The screw 45 is preferably formed 'with a central bore through which extends anopera-t-ing cable 47, which is connected to the and thence through dis-. charge openings 46, -46-,, t o the atmosphere.

upper end of the valve 42 and .extcndsupwardly beyond the screw45 about guiding pulleys 48, and thence downtothecar-Uto a convenient point for the operator. r-,;lV-hen a defective condition of the..;p'la'ne of elevation 30, orv when :fojrfany reason it is;

found impracticable to descend withouhthe loss of gas, it is only necessary'to-pull the cables 47 for allowing the escape of a'suflioient quantity of gas to reduce the displacement sufiiciently for permitting the required descent.

i While as a matter of convenienceof illustration, I have shown thepropeller r128-in Fig. l as disposed in front-and carried directly by the car, it should be. obvious that.

other dispositions are contemplated, and in fact for the purposes of 'this "application, I consider the arrangement seen in Fig. '10. as preferred. The structural features 'are; the

same as described abovesand the sa-ineu'fe erence numerals nreapplied, but instead of theuse of a single screw, the propeller-consists of a pluralitvof screws 29,128, one for 7 each shaft 3' and disposed axially iin;;l-ine therewith and having a thrust-bearing ell-.1

gagement with the respective shaft 3. .The screws 2.8 are connected for synchronism by belting 28", and are driven by enginery in car 27 geared in any ordinary manner, not

illustrated. The' framing above described is iadmir'ably adapted to receive and transmit ase of puncture, itj diaphragm 3 will piepractically uniformly throughout the entire In Fig. 10, lf h'ave also discloseda:further adaptation of the plane'of 'elevatioi1', aplane disposed between theend portions being sustained by a supplemental crossbar 30" connecting shafts 3. Plane 30 is shown at the rear of the craft as a convenient disposition for efficiently controlling the elevation of the craft, suitable cables 32 being disposed for enabling manipulation of plane 30'.

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13, I have shown the opposite or front end portion of the bags. The rudder or guiding plane 29 in this embodiment is disposed at the front end of the cfaft and pivotally sustained in'a supplemental cross bar 29. and cross stay 29, suitable operating cables 31, 31 engaging plane 29 for facilitating manipulation thereof.

It is. of course. understood that it is impracticable to illustrate all of the practically endless number of possible embodiments of the present invention. but. to make more tainty of control.

' plurality ing' relatively elongated allehsm and spaced apart, and the framereadily apparent certain contemplated variations, I have shown an inverted plan in Fig. let. illustrating the car 2-7 as having a plurality of screws 50, 50, and guiding. planes or rudders 51, 51, mounted to give in the first instance maximum driving capacity, and in the other instance, ease and cer- The propellers and rudders are carried by suitable outrigging, and

the propellers are driven from enginery, not

illustrated, through belting 52 and 53 and pulleys 54ef Each rudder is engaged by a That I claim is,-

1. In an'air craft, the combination of a plurality'of relatively elongated bags dispose'd'in parallelism and spaced apart, a framework therefor comprising a shaft extending throughout the length of the bags,

ineans'connecting the shaft tothe bags intermediate the-ends of the bags, and tension means connecting thebags to the shaft.

2. In an air craft, the combination of a of clusters ofbags, a frame-work for each cluster, the bags of eachcluster'beand disposed in par- Work for each cluster comprising a shaft extending longitudinally throughout the length of the bags, means connecting the shaft to the bags intermediate the ends thereof, and tension means connecting the shaft. to the bags, and means frame-work of one cluster with the framework of the other.

3. In an air craft, the combination of a plurality of; clusters of bags a frame-work for each cluster, thebags of each cluster being relatively elongated and disposed in parallelism and spaced apart, and the framework for each cluster comprising a shaft extending longitudinally throughout the length of the bags, meansconnecting the shaft to the bags intermediate the ends thereof, tension means-connecting the shaft to the bags, cross shafts connecting the shaft of one cluster with the shaft of the other,

' plurality connecting the and diagonal stays connecting the firstmentioned-shafts at points adjacent the en'- gagement therewith of the cross shafts.

at. In an air craft, the combination 'ota'ff plurality of relatively elongated gas bags "'10 disposer. in parallelism and spaced apart, of a longitudinally disposed shaft arranged be- Y tween and extending throughout the length ofthe gas bags, and tensioning means'connee-ting the shaft with the gas bags for maintenance and regulation of the tension of the bagsin a longitudinal direction.

In an air craft. the comb nation of a of gas bags, a band surrounding each gas bag, a shaft extending between the 30 gas bags and beyond the same, and connected to all of said bands, and means connecting the ends of the shafts to the .gas bags.

(3. In an air craft, the combination of a plurality of relatively elongated gas bags, a plu 'ality of bands surrounding each bag, a'shaft extending longitudinally through: out the length of and between the bags andconnected to all of said bands, a -cable connected to the end of each bag, and tension means engaging the shaft and engaged by the cables for tensioning said cables.

7. In an air craft, the combination of a plurality of elongated gas bags, a band surrounding each bag, a shaft extending longitudinally of and between the bags and connected to all of said hands, a cable connected to each end of each bag, a tension device engaging and shiftable longitudinally of the shaft adjacent the respective ends of the bags and engaged by the cables, a cap surrounding 'each end of each bag, and tension ca les for each bag engaging and connecting the caps of the respective ha.

8. In an air craft,'the combination of a plurality of elongated gas bags, a band surrounding each bag, a shaft extending longitudinally of and between the'bags and connected to all of said bands, a cable connected to each end of each bag, a tension 11 device engaging. and shiftable longitudinally of the shaft adjacent the respective" ends of the bags and engaged loy'the'cables acap surrounding each end of each bag, and tension cables for each bag engaging and connecting the caps of theresp'e'ctivelbag; each of the last-mentioned cables engaging the respective band.

9. In an air craft,-the combination of a plurality of elongated gas bags, aband surrounding each bag. a shaft extending'lonegitudinally of and between the bags and connected to all'of said bands, a cable connected to each end of each bag. "a, tension deviceengaginguand shiftablelongitudin'ally of the shaft adjacent the resp'eceive ends of the bags and engaged by the cab es, a cap surrounding-each end of each bag. tension cables for each bag engaging and connecting the caps of the respective bag, and

bag.

means for tensioiiing the last-mentioned cables.

10. In an air craft, the combination of a.

plurality of elongated gas bags, a band sur rounding each bag, a shaft extending longitudinally of and between the bags and concables for each bag engaging and connecting the caps of the respective bag, each of the bands having eyes corresponding in number to the number of the last-mentioned cables for the respective bag, and the lastmentioned cables engaging said eyes.

11. In an air craft, the-combination of a plurality of rclatively'elongated gas bags spaced apart, a plurality ofbands surrounding each bag intermediate the ends thereof, a shaft connecting all of said bands, and extending beyond "the bags, a cable connected to each end of each bag, tension means engaging the'shaft and engaged by said cables, a metallic substantially conical cap inclosing each end of each bag, and surrounding the respective cable, such cable extending through the apex of-the cap, and cables for each bag connecting the caps thereof and engaging the several bands'of the respective 12. In an air craft, the combination of a plurality of as bags, spaced apart, bands surrounding tending between the bags, vertical shafts connected to the horizontal shaft and to the bands, and a car pendent from the vertical shafts. V

13. In an air craft, the combination of substantially elongated gas bags spaced apart, a horizontal shaft extending between and longitudinally of said bags, vertical shafts fixed to said horizontal shaft and connected to all of said bags, and a car pendent from said vertical shafts.

14. In an air craft the combination of sub substantially elongated gas bags spaced apart, a horizontal shaft extending between e same, a horizontal shaft exand longitudinally "of said bags, vertical shafts fixed to said horizontal shaft and connected to all of said bags, and tension means for the bags connected with said horizontal shaft.

I 16. In an air craft, the combination of a plurality of clusters of bags, each cluster comprising a plurality of bags, a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally thereof, vertical shafis connected to the horizontal shaft I and connected to thebags ofthe respective cluster, a car pendent from all of the vertical shafts, a cross shaft connecting the respecllVG'llOl'lZUlilIfll shafts of the clusters, and a vertical shaft connectin. the car to the cross shaft 17. In an air craft, the ci'inibination of a plurality of clusters of bags, each'cluster, comprising a plurality of bags, a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally thereof, vertieal shafts connected to the horizontal shaft and connected to the bags of the respective cluster, a car pendent from all of the vertical shafts, a cross shaft connecting the respec ti've horizontal shafts of the clusters, a hollow, vertical shaft connecting the car to the cross shaft, and a mast nested in said hollow shaft and adapted to be shifted longitudinally thereof.

18. In an air craft, the combination of a plurality of clusters of bags, each cluster comprising a plurality of bags, a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally thereof, vertical shafts connected to the horizontal shaft and connected to the bags of the respective cluster, a car pendent from all ofthe vertical shafts, a cross shaft connecting the respective horizontal. shafts of the clusters, a hollow, verticahshaft connecting the car to the cross shaft, a mast nested in said hollow shaft and adapted to be shifted longitudinally thereof, and tackle and sail connectedto the mast.

19. In combination, a plurality of clusters of relatively elongated gas bags, a longitudinally disposed shaft for each cluster, tensioning means for each bag of each cluster engaging the respective shaft, and means connecting the shafts.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presenceof two Witnesses.

CHARLES SPILKA.

Witnesses:

LoUIs II. PERLMAN, EDGAR M. KITCHIN. 

